Participants Invited To Compete In The 1st Annual New England Dragon Boat Challenge in Boston, Lowell, Pawtucket and Hartford

August 8, 2004 -- The 1st Annual New England Dragon Boat Challenge (the "Challenge") invites the general public to compete in the Chinese sport of dragon boat. The Challenge is the first known formal racing circuit in New England for the sport of dragon boat. Collectively, the dragon boat races in Boston, Lowell, Pawtucket and Hartford will attract over 100,000 spectators and over 2,000 participants. All teams participating in any one or more of these races are automatically entered into the Challenge and earn points. The team with the most points at the end of the Challenge will be declared the winner of the Challenge. All teams are required to pay each race's respective race entry fee to compete.

The first race of the Challenge occurred at the Boston Dragon Boat Festival on June 12-13, 2004. The top three leaders of the Challenge are:

1. Montreal Thunder (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)(415 Points)
2. MAD (Mixed) (New York City, New York, USA)(405 Points)
3. MAD (Mens) (New York City, New York, USA) (385 Points)

Full race results are available at www.dbcb.org.

The Challenge is organized and operated by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the Children's Museum, Dragon Boat Club of Boston, Inc., the Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, Inc., and Riverfront Recapture, Inc.

Teams are invited to compete at the next race on August 21, 2004 at the Southeast Asian Water Festival in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA (see www.lowellwaterfestival.org).

RACE DATES AND LOCATIONS

June 12-13, 2004 - Boston Dragon Boat Festival, Weeks Footbridge, Charles River by Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

August 21, 2004 – Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, Merrimack River, Lowell Heritage State Park, Lowell, MA

September 11, 2004 - Rhode Island Dragon Boat Race and Festival, Pawtucket River, Pawtucket, RI

September 18, 2004 - Riverfront Dragon Boat Race, Connecticut River, Riverfront Plaza, Hartford, CT

HISTORY OF DRAGON BOAT

In North America, dragon boats are constructed of either wood or fiberglass and typically hold 20 people paddling in unison. A drummer sits at the front of the boat and beats out the timing while a steerer stands at the back with a long oar to control the boat's direction. Dragon boat racing requires a great deal of teamwork, as each crew has to paddle together with synchronized technique and timing.

Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport that has become a global phenomenon. It is an annual event held in over 40 countries around the world.

Traditionally, dragon boat racing is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, but today the races are held on various dates throughout the summer.

In the U.S. alone, there are several hundred clubs and teams that compete annually in the sport of dragon boat. According to Paddler Magazine, dragon boat racing is the fastest growing water sport and the second most popular water sport in the world. Enthusiasts of all ages can participate with any level of physical fitness.

ORGANIZERS

Boston Dragon Boat Festival
c/o The Children's Museum
300 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
www.bostondragonboat.org

Contact
Peter Lew
pkjlew@juno.com
617-371-7890 (Mobile)

Dragon Boat Club of Boston, Inc.
P.O. Box 380155
Cambridge, MA 02238-0155
www.dbcb.org

Contact
Jonathan Scherer
redragon210@yahoo.com
617-515-3266 (Mobile)

Bob Lee
p_synch@yahoo.com
617-413-8360 (Mobile)

Rhode Island Dragon Boat Race and Festival
c/o Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
www.tourblackstone.com

Contact
Robert Billington
Bvri@aol.com
800-454-2882 (Work)

Riverfront Dragon Boat Race
c/o Riverfront Recapture, Inc.
One Hartford Square West
Hartford, CT 06106-1984
www.riverfront.org

Contact
Craig Mergins
cmergins@riverfront.org
860-713-3131 x25 (Work)

Todd Novak
tnovak@riverfront.org
860-713-3131 x12 (Work)

Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, Inc.
c/o Cambodian Mutual Association Assistance of Greater Lowell, Inc.
165 Jackson Street
Lowell, MA. 01852
www.lowellwaterfestival.org

Contact
Lee Libbey
waterfestprez@yahoo.com
978-596-1013 (Work)

Jose Cora
jose_r_cora_ii@excite.com
978-884-5834 (Mobile)

Bunsong Suo
bunsong978@ixp.net
978-996-7019 (Mobile)





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